The MAX

Yes yes and yes.

That is exactly what you should do. Be a little patient. I had only my LHT for all of last year. And when I wanted to do a 90km fast pace charity ride, I stripped it down to just the bare essentials and a handlebar bag and did it. Now I have some nice vintage road bikes. After riding my '84 Colnago pretty exclusively most of the spring, I doubted my Surly would get any action this summer. Yet I took it for a spin the other day and I'm so glad I did...don't know how I doubted it. It's just such a comfortable ride.

The 620 is a great bike but you really have no need for it. I would try to sell it at a decent price. The right buyer will pay the right amount. Rather than spending the $500 on a frame from Salsa, I'm sure you can probably even find some vintage beauty on ebay for a decent price.

I'm just saying don't do anything you'll regret. I think the 620 is a nice bike, but it's not like it's a Miyata 1000 or something.

E_merlin

That is solid advice - thanks. That is the direction I am leaning.

E_merlin

Yikes - I am not so sure about that comment. After having ridden both bikes in my size I preferred the 620 to the 1000 or the expedition. Why do you make that statement? Not trying to start a war just curious. That must mean you would prefer the 1000 over the LHT hands down?

WNG

It was for those brevet/century events where he won't be hauling a load x-country. Just to lighten up the bike and lower the rolling resistance.

The MAX

The Miyata 1000 (depending on the year) is just one of those iconic 80's touring bikes and I just kind of have a thing for them. They are not that easy to come by either.

MerckxMad

Turn the LHT from a "loaded rando" into the true loaded tourer it was meant to be, sell your 620 to someone who knows what to do with it, and scratch your "sport tourer" itch with one of these...

realestvin7

520 like this?

https://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Trek-520...item19c655b868

E_merlin

nice looking bike in my size too - wonder how that would ride.

ColonelJLloyd 

Have you seen a LHT? They're barge long. I don't think one would make a good brevet bike.

Provided it fit, the 520 should work well; even better with smaller wheels and bigger tires.

realestvin7

Probably fantastic.

alxndr

FWIW, got one in the bay area that doesn't fit, trying to trade for a touring rig on that par that fits me...

bradtx

E_merlin, You're making this too difficult on yourself. Many, many members have a bike (maybe more than one) that they have kept simply out of sentimentality. The LHT, even if not used for touring is a great bike for everything, but racing. The 620 likely has seniority and would make a nice rando bike, but will never be all that the LHT is, good and bad. Go find a nice racing frame, and presto, three types of road bike.

Brad

3speed

What size are you, merlin? I'm in Madison and I could keep an eye out for you too.

I personally say just go for everything, keep whatever bikes you want, and buy a go fast, fun bike on top of it all. But this is also coming from someone who's going to be selling off a few bikes this week because they tend to gather around my place. You could always get a storage unit.

jstewse

I think your best bet is to try and trade the 620 with the uber long stays, for one of Treks very popular sport-touring models, like the 520 above. They are fantastic riding bikes, fit decent sized tires and have a semi-relaxed geometry perfect for what you are looking for. They are really good "randonneur" type conversion bikes, and that particular 620 you have there is a pretty desirable one because it's full touring geometry like the famed 720.

E_merlin

Thanks 3speed - I am a 52-54cm depending on the angles - 21" vintage stuff works for me. I very much appreciate the offer.

The problem with a storage unit is my wife would make me sleep in it if I get another bike!

FWIW - I have a go fast bike and a mountain bike..... Rarely ride them - I have been riding the go fast more and more.

Cheers.

Standalone 

To correct a bit of info in the thread...

Note that the geometry of the 620 changed several times over its production through the '83/'84/'85 years.

'83: Calipers, 440mm stays, 1028mm w/b
'84: Cantis, 455mm stays, 1049mm w/b (for comparison, the '84 720 was 470/1062)
'85: Cantis, 470mm stays, all wheelbases given for various sizes in catalog. The 720 had a different s/t angle than the 620, so to call them the same geometry-wise isn't 100% correct.

I found all this out when I bought a desirable 47 chainstay " '85 " 620 frame only to find out that it was actually an '84 that wasn't that different from the 520 I already owned. Live and learn.